Manitoba's Infrastructure Minister says we will see highway construction in our province this year of historical proportion.

Ron Schuler says never before has the provincial government committed $630 million towards infrastructure. He calls it substantive and notes it will happen in all four corners of the province.

One of the ongoing projects is turning the Perimeter Highway into freeway status. This includes closing all dirt roads that access the Perimeter Highway.

"We will direct all traffic to signalized or bridged intersections," notes the Minister.

Another project is turning Highway 59 into an RTAC route. He notes this will allow Highway 59 to become an alternative route should another high water event close Highway 75.

"So this year it is in the plans to upgrade Highway 59 to the US border all the way to the Perimeter as RTAC which is a national standard," he explains.

According to Schuler, most of that work along Highway 59 will happen south of St. Malo, where load restrictions come into play each spring.

As for why the province plans such an ambitious summer for highway construction during a pandemic, Schuler says government has a key role to play in getting an economy rolling again after a pandemic. He notes for every $1 spent on infrastructure in Manitoba, our province gets nearly $1.50 in taxes and in spending in the economy.

"What's nice about it is not just do we spend the money but we're investing it," he explains. "We get something back in return."

Meanwhile, Schuler asks motorists to be patient while driving in construction areas this spring and summer. He notes those are our neighbours, relatives and friends that are working those construction jobs and asks us to give them the respect they deserve.

"Everybody deserves to go home at night from their jobs, everybody," he says. "And that includes our construction workers."

There are 20 construction projects planned for the Eastern Region.

Projects already under construction include:

  • PTH 1 from Brokenhead River to PTH 11 (bituminous reconstruction)
  • PTH 23 from PTH 75 to PTH 59 (bituminous reconstruction)
  • PR 213 at PR 206 (intersection improvements)
  • PR 246 from PTH 23 to PTH 205 (bituminous reconstruction)
  • PR 408 at Bog River (culvert replacement)
  • Rice River Road at PR 800 (grading, includes gravel)

Projects scheduled to start this spring:

  • PTH 1 at PR 207 (intersection improvements)
  • PTH 59 from PR 403 to PTH 52 (bituminous reconstruction)
  • PTH 59 from US border to PR 403 (bituminous reconstruction)
  • PTH 75 from Rodeo Dr to 3.4 km south of PTH 23 S (concrete reconstruction)
  • PTH 100 from Waverley to St. Mary's Road (concrete median barrier)
  • PTH 101 at Wenzel Street (intersection improvements)

Projects to start later this year:

  • PTH 3 at McCreary Road (intersection improvements)
  • PTH 9 from .1 km north of PTH 101 to 1.7 km south of PTH 27 (bituminous reconstruction)
  • PTH 59 from the Flooday bridge to PR 210 (bituminous minor rehabilitation)
  • PTH 75 from .5 km south of Morris to Morris (grading, dike construction)
  • PTH 100 from South Perimeter Safety Plan to Aimes Road (grading)
  • PTH 100 at St. Mary's (interchange)
  • PTH 101 at North Perimeter Safety Plan (intersection improvements, median closures and service roads)
  • PR 204 from 2.9 km north of PTH 101 to PTH 44 (bituminous minor rehabilitation)